Texans report: Reed provides a pep talk to Texans’ secondary

Most of the Texans’ starters do not participate in minicamp, and Ed Reed is still recovering from arthroscopic hip surgery.

Still, on Tuesday, safety Danieal Manning stayed on the field after the first team left and watched the minicamp participants compete.

On Wednesday, before the Texans’ secondary left the field, Reed gave a pep talk to the younger players.

“(It means) that they’re counting on us young guys,” said rookie safety D.J. Swearinger, a second-round pick. “There are a lot of guys out here that they’re counting on to help win this year.

“They just want to be out here supporting us.”

Too early to tell about the RBs

The process of finding a third running back for the Texans’ roster won’t be a focal point for Gary Kubiak until training camp.

“Backs are hard to gauge when you’re out here in the offseason,” he said. “Fullbacks are hard to gauge.”

The Texans have four players vying to follow running backs Arian Foster and Ben Tate in the pecking order: rookies Dennis Johnson, Ray Graham and Cierre Wood along with veteran Deji Karim.
Kubiak was asked about Johnson on Wednesday.

“I love his conditioning,” Kubiak said about Johnson. “He can run all day.

“He’s obviously got some skill. Can he pick up protection? Can he be a three-down player? Can he play special teams? Don’t answer those questions until you put the pads on.”

Kubiak won’t wear out Johnson

After injuries from the 2011 season prompted receiver Andre Johnson to miss the 2012 OTAs, the six-time Pro Bowler is much healthier uring this offseason.

Still, coach Gary Kubiak has a plan to keep Johnson healthy.

“I’m trying to get Andre to the top of his game on day one (of the regular season), and I’m not going to let him leave it out here,” Kubiak said. “That’s important, but you can only do that with players when they take care of their business, and he takes care of his business.”